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Johannesburg — USA On Monday, it unveiled a new strategic paper on sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the region's importance, the threat posed by China and Russia, and pledging to expand defense cooperation with like-minded African nations.
“The United States is committed to ensuring that this region remains open and accessible to all, and that governments and the public can make their own political choices in line with their international obligations. ," the White House document said.
This is an extension of his November speech by Secretary of State Anthony Brinken, who first described the Biden administration's approach to Africa. That release comes as Blinken is in South Africa and this week he is visiting two African countries.
In November, Blinken said Washington must do something different to support Africa's infrastructure needs, phasing out the continent as a geopolitical subject. He said he should stop, or rather stop treating him as a major player on his own.
Brinken also appealed to African leaders to prevent the rise of extremism, authoritarianism and corruption.
In line with the 2022 U.S. Defense Strategy, a new paper states that the Department of Defense is working with African partners to "expose and highlight the risks of negative Chinese and Russian activities in Africa." I will.” Full name initials.
"We will utilize our civil defense agencies and engage in defense cooperation with strategic partners who share our values and desire to promote peace and stability in the world. expand," he said.
Washington will also "review and reinvest" the way it engages with the African Command, particularly programs that help build institutional capacity, fight corruption, and drive reform.
“Effective, legitimate and accountable military and other security forces support open, democratic and resilient societies and counter the threat of destabilization, including in Africa. It is essential to do so," the paper said.
Washington will work with governments and regional organizations, including the African Union, to build Africa's capacity to combat climate change, in support of sustainable development 'accelerators'. it would, it said.
These include digitizing financial services and records, investing in healthcare systems, and improving the supply chain of vital commodities.
On the technical side, Washington will work to ensure affordable access to the Internet, and the US Agency for International Development will work to make online courses easier to access, the paper said.
According to the document, US allies and partners in Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific view Africa as vital to their national security and are committed to working with Washington. .
By contrast, China sees the region as "challenging the rules-based international order, promoting its own narrow commercial and geopolitical interests, undermining transparency and openness, African people and governments," the paper said.
Russia describes Africa as "a tolerant environment for parastate and private military companies, which often fosters instability for strategic and financial gain."
Africa needs billions of dollars a year for roads, railroads, dams and power, and has received a lot of money from China over the past decade. generally do not tie money to political or rights-related situations.
Washington sees Chinese lending as predatory and leads to potential debt traps and is focused on encouraging private investment, but officials are further speeding up aid.
The Biden administration has been criticized by some for not paying attention to Africa. This is a common complaint about US foreign policy, but it has grown louder since China deepened its political and economic roots on the African continent.
But Biden It struck a different tone than former President Donald Trump, who despised several African countries and banned travel from six of them. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Jeff Mason; editing by Diane Craft)
